Page 6 of Sunrise

Finally, Knox slowly tips his head back.

“That’s it. Keep going.” I stand under them, praying he’ll listen. “More. Bend more for me.”

His pinned hands shake at his sides, but he obeys. His shoulders follow next, and then his back bows, pitching his lower half forward, closer toSophie’s. They balance perfectly in the black and white ropes I’ve tied between them. The braid and knots pull tight to show off a less than intricate pattern than I would have preferred. I rushed because I knew Knox wasn’t feeling the show, and didn’t want to make him stay longer than necessary.

The room stands, applauding as if this show was ever for them.

On my signal, Dmitri lowers them down and I catch Knox, while Ryker gets Sophie.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He doesn’t look it. Do I push the issue or let it slide?

“Hold still.” My nimble fingers fly over his body, untying the knots so I can unravel him as fast as possible. I didn’t use quick releases for this one because stringing them up and suspending them would have been too risky that way. Ryker’s slower at freeing Sophie. Her ropes were more intricate than Knox’s, only because I didn’t think he’d allow me the time, nor did I think I could survive it.

Not tonight.

Once free, Knox grabs his shirt off the floor and marches down the steps.

“Go,” Sophie urges me, knowing he’s not okay.

I jump off the stage instead of using the steps and catch up to him just as he shoves the door open. “You did great.”

He ignores me and keeps walking.

“Knox, what gives?”

He storms through the lobby and out the main door.

“Knox!” Catching up with him in the parkinglot, my fuse is lit. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“You called her Sunrise.”

Holy shit. Bile rises in my throat. I hadn’t realized I did that. I… fuck… it’s a habit. I was scared tonight, and Sophie… The slip of tongue was an accident.

But it’s not a lie. Sheismy sunrise.

“Nothing to say, huh?” Knox is definitely going to punch me. “God, I’m a fucking idiot.” He scrubs his face and heads towards his bike.

I need to explain. I have to tell him what I—

He releases his kickstand, starts the bike, and zooms past me so fast he’s a fucking blur.

Shit.

Chapter 3

Sophie

“That didn’t go according to plan.” I lean against the doorjamb to Vault’s office with my arms crossed. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He’s lying. Neither he nor Knox are fine right now. “I tried calling him, but it went to voicemail.”

“I fucked up,” Vault says quietly. “I shouldn’t have done any of this. I thought I…” He buries his head in his hands and sighs.

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